Friday is the scholarship application deadline for students wishing to
join the Asian American Studies Center's six-week summer study trip to
China.

Students from all majors are eligible for the program, which will focus
on language study and cultural exchange at Beijing's Central University for
Nationalities.

After four hours a day of intensive Chinese language classes and
lectures about Chinese history and society by local professors, the 20
chosen students will compare cultural notes with their Chinese
counterparts, said UH education Professor Yali Zou, who will accompany
them.

"We hope (the Americans) will try to speak Chinese," said Trang Phan,
Zou's assistant and a master's student in education. "But students in China
love to have opportunities to speak English."

Students will stay on campus and will be provided with three meals a
day, said Zou, director of the center and a native of Beijing.

The group will also travel to temples, Tianenman Square, the Great Wall
of China and historic sites in eight provinces, Phan said.

Students from Beijing will be invited to spend a few weeks at UH in the
fall of 1996 as an exchange program. Because of its offer, UH was able to
get students a special rate, Zou said.

UH students will pay $2,000, which covers tuition, housing, study
materials and meals, but not airfare. Students from Oregon who are making
the trip as well must pay $4,000.

Scholarship and study-abroad application forms and may be picked up at
the Asian American Studies Center office in Room 450 Farish Hall between 10
a.m. and 3 p.m.

Although the scholarship deadline is Friday, applications for the
program itself will be accepted March 15 through April 5. Course credit may
also be arranged.

"As we're approaching 2000, the market in Asian countries is opening,
and cross-cultural business interactions are becoming more frequent," she
said.

Asian-Americans are a substantial part of Houston's population, Phan
said, so, "It's a real asset to become accustomed to that culture."